Juniper (Juniperus chinensis) is one of my favorite Christmas greens with its broadleaf foliage and beautiful blue berries (actually fleshy, modified cones). Although juniper, as its botanical name suggests, is native to Asia, it has some unique and interesting characteristics that might make it a suitable addition to your landscape.
Clemson Cooperative Extension notes that junipers are popular woody plants for the landscape because there are forms for almost any landscape use. Junipers range from four inches to 50 feet tall, and their spread can range from six to 20 feet, depending on the species. The low-growing varieties can be used as effective ground covers, but this column will deal mainly with the upright shrub and tree forms of the plant.
Chinese juniper is surprisingly adaptable and durable, bringing year-round interest and color to your plantings. Although the species is known for its large, conical tree shape, there are many cultivated varieties for garden and landscape use that include trees, shrubs, and, as previously mentioned, ground covers. The foliage consists of highly textured scale-like needles, which are attractive but can be prickly. The blue-green berry-like fruits (cones) develop in late summer and fall and attract birds and wildlife.
All junipers like full sun and good drainage but are not terribly picky regarding soils. Clemson Cooperative Extension notes, they will grow in various soils but do not like water-logged roots. Junipers are considered pH adaptable and will tolerate both acid and alkaline soils, which makes them an attractive evergreen choice as many broadleaf evergreens thrive in more acidic soils. They will tolerate adverse conditions and withstand heat and drought (once established) better than many ornamentals, which might make them a good fit for areas where other plants and shrubs struggle. Container-grown plants can be planted year-round; balled and burlapped junipers should be planted in the fall.
Do not severely prune junipers. Actually, it is best not to prune them at all, so make sure the variety you choose will work in the area where you plant it. Determine the mature height and width of a juniper species before purchasing. Some sources cite juniper as a good foundation plant; others do not because of the potentially large mature size. Again, make sure you know the mature size of the variety you plan to plant.
Interestingly, The Morton Arboretum says that junipers are quite salt-tolerant, another unique evergreen quality, so you could consider planting them closer to roads, driveways, and sidewalks. The Morton Arboretum also states that junipers are tolerant of black walnut toxicity.
Despite their attributes, junipers do have disease and pest issues. Needle blights can be a problem in wet springs, and the plants can also be susceptible to cedar-apple rust. Bagworms (I have witnessed this juniper problem on trips to Kansas), twig borers (browning and drying branch tips), juniper scale (no new growth and yellowed foliage), and juniper webworm (webbing together and browning foliage) are common pests. Fungal diseases that impact junipers include Phomopsis tip blight and Phytophthora root rot.
